Quality Assurance Manager
Resume:
Roderick Blackard
**** ***** *****, ********, ** 80537
***********@*****.***
Quality Assurance
When it comes to software, quality always counts
Results-oriented Senior QA and Test Automation professional with proven 16-year record of accomplishments. Managed and evaluated the QA team to ensure that the team has appropriate skill sets. Review teams performance evaluations on a monthly base to help facilitate individual’s needs as well as the overall team needs. Facilitated training needs through mentoring and formal training. Daily hands-on experience with manual and automated software testing on multiple operating systems. Detailed knowledge of wide variety of software configuration and build tools. Proficient in distributed, multi-tiered, Web-based applications in a continuous integration environment. Skilled in wide range of software development environments, including Agile, Spiral, and Waterfall. Strong technical, communication, leadership, and management skills.
Core Competencies
Process
System issue tracking
Quality assurance improvement
Multiple software and architectures
Process improvement reviews
Software release management
Management
Project and people management
Customer relations and conflict resolution
Team building
Team Mentoring
Documentation
Test plans
Project status reports
Release notes
Software specifications review
Test case coverage report
Education
BSB/IS Business Management and Computer Information Systems
University of Phoenix, Englewood, CO
2002
Attended Colorado State University 2002 - 2004
Technical Skill Areas
Types of Testing: Structural, Integration, Black Box, Gray Box, White Box, Performance, Data Validation, GUI, Protocol, Security
Test Tools: Load Runner 9.0, Quick Test Professional (Quality Center), Visual Studio Team System Test Edition, OpenSTA, IMacro, JUnit, HP WebInspect, QALoad, Rational Functional Tester 8.2, Rational Performance Tester 8.2
Defect Tracking: Mantis, Microsoft Team Foundation Server, Bugzilla, PRISM
Software Development Process: Agile, Water Fall
Source Control: CVS, Subversion, Team Foundation Server
Databases: Oracle 11, SQL *Plus, SQL Server, MSSQL, TOAD
Programming Languages: Java, VB, XML, HTML, C++, C, .NET
Security: SQL Injection, Penetration Testing, Vulnerability Assessments, Burp Suite, HP Application Security Center
Servers: Apache, HP-UX, WebSphere, ASP.NET, Tomcat, SharePoint, VMware, AS400, MS 2005 Virtual Servers
Other: SharePoint, Visio, Microsoft Office Suite, OpenSSL, Suse Linux
Professional Certification/Courses
Fair Credit Reporting Act Certified (FRCA)
2007
Managing the Software Test Organization (IIST)
2007
Software Quality Assurance Methods and Techniques (IIST)
2007
Test Process Measurements and Improvements (IIST)
2007
ScrumMaster Certified (CMS)
2005
Professional Experience
Software Quality Assurance Manager August 2011 to Present
Alpine Technology Group, Longmont, CO
As the Software Quality Assurance Manager I oversee the testing and quality control aspects of the product development life cycle. Work closely with the development and project management teams to assist in developing business rules, workflow and process improvements within the organization. Identify key performance indicators and implement policy and procedures, which ensure only high quality products are delivered for our software applications by meeting the above methods. Facilitated train and mentored employees to ensure that the federal guidelines for healthcare are observed during the testing process. Participate as a core team member to plan and execute a software quality strategy for each release. Drive the team to excel and understanding the detailed business rules of the applications. Applications are currently developed in C++, C#, Java, HTML, CSS, and Groovy.
Incorporate the quality assurance team into the organization. Implemented test plans, workflow and procedures to ensure quality for each release. Result: Alpine Technology Group is now able to be agile and adhere to the client’s needs in a more dynamic manner.
Design internal procedures and identify key performance indicators to improve the visibility of projects within the software product lifecycle within our internal project management application. Result: CMS is able to visually see the status of each product and determine the actual status and quality at a given moment
Manage a team of six quality assurance engineers who connect remotely from different regions of the US. Result: QA test team has team members available 12 hours a day.
Lead Performance/Load Tester November 2009 to August 2011
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corporation, Greenwood Village, CO
Created, implemented and managed automated load and performance testing for multiple divisions within the organization utilizing Rational Functional Tester and Rational Performance Tester. Coordinated and managed load testing schedules based on project timelines. Work closely with development to assist in identifying possible resolutions to degraded application performance. Develop load test for environment relocation move to identify the new configuration environment issues. Lead day-to-day operations of four quality assurance engineers in agile development environment. Perform variations of testing strategies (White, Grey, and Black box) on applications that administer merchant payments, child support payments, and HealthCare payments. Applications were developed in .Net, HTML, XML connecting to MSSQL database.
Performed various load performance tests for PA DirectFile application. Results: The team developed a new environment that allowed clients to process 130,000 claims within a one-week timeframe without any incidents.
Initiate automated regression tests for over 170 state/remit clients, California Child Support system, South Carolina Care Call Service Monitoring system, and Oklahoma Department of Human Services Healthcare System. Results: Increased automation regression test development by 100%
Quality Assurance Manager May 2007 to January 2009
Kroll Factual Data, Loveland, CO
Lead day-to-day operations of six quality assurance engineers utilizing Scrum agile development methodology. Mentored and facilitated training needs for staffs continuous improvement. Developed employee improvement plans to assist in increasing individual’s performance. Defined job roles, responsibilities and defined job skill requirements. Counsel with team members and mentor them in areas that were desirable self-improvements to ensure that they are performing at a high level. Coordinate all time off requests based on projects schedules and employee needs. Established professional test environment with over 250 servers, certified all test engineers, and developed company-wide test protocol. Tested credit information compilation software developed in .NET, Java script, HTML, XML, connected to DB2, SQL, and Oracle databases by creating test harnesses on windows platform and virtual machines. Tested external applications (Background Investigation, Credit reports) utilizing White/Black box testing strategies for commercial grade software.
Incorporated QA into design phase. Implemented test plans and automated test scripts with Visual Studio and Team Foundation Server for system. Results: Tested 250 applications and reduced defects by 43% per year.
Wrote comprehensive job descriptions, properly assessed candidate skills sets, and ensured that all test engineers were certified. Results: Built a successful, highly-effective QA team.
Assisted in developing requirement specifications from clients, created test plans, and established a standardized testing process. Results: Improved test procedures and product quality.
Quality Assurance Manager January 2005 to May 2007
Triple Creek Associates, Greenwood Village, Colorado
Built QA team “from scratch” and established a formal test process with standard test tools and Scrum agile development methodology. Manage day-to-day operations of two quality assurance engineers to ensure product quality and time to market. Tested Web-based mentoring applications written in ColdFusion, HTML, and XML, connected to Access and Oracle databases. Test market-leading web-based mentoring programs utilizing White/Black box testing strategies for commercial grade software.
Implemented test harnesses within Quick-Test Pro, LoadRunner, and OpenSTA for automated load testing. Results: increased testing coverage by 16% and decreased bugs by 27%.
Managed software releases on windows servers using Visual Source Safe and Subversion. Results: Released software ahead of schedule.
Brought in defect tracking system and established defect review process: Results: Systematically tracked and reduced bugs.
Lead Quality Assurance Engineer July 1996 to February 2002
Co Create Software, Fort Collins, Colorado
Lead 10 QA engineers in an international environment. Made sure projects were on schedule, attended meetings to collect required specifications for testing needs, and worked with other departments to improve change management procedures. Tested Product Data Management (PDM) systems, 2/3D CAD applications written in C and C++, connected to Oracle databases on HP-UX and Windows utilizing White/Black box testing strategies in various platforms (Linux, HP-UX, and Windows).
Addressed lack of localization by working with company representatives in Japan and Germany to develop knowledge of language, develop test procedures, and implement localized test plans. Results: Co Create released well-tested products within Europe and Asia.
Established uniformity in testing procedures on a world-wide basis. Became central point for all application test processes. Results: Improved test consistency and product quality.
Mentored two individuals in creating white box JUnit test harnesses for UNIX. Results: Increased test coverage by 37%. Increased total number of white box and gray box automated test scenarios by 100%.
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